Calculating machine



, June 13, 1944. H. 'r AVERY ETAL CALCULATING MACHINE Filed March '25, 1942 INVENTORS #42010 ZAvmy 7.9 flrW/rr MGF/MM ATTORNEYS Patented June 13, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT oar-ice canom'rmo MACHINE Harold T. Avery, De Witt M. Grimm, and Frederick N. Schwend, Oakland, Calif., assignors to March'ant Calculating Machine Company, a corporation of California Application March 23, 1942, Serial No. 435,806 21 Claims. (Cl. 235-145) This inventionrelates to calculating machines and has particular reference to an improved keyboard mechanism for calculating machines of the key-set type, such as disclosed in the patent to Harold T. Avery, Number 2,216,659, issued on October first, 1940. v

The present invention is illustrated as applied to the Marchant calculating machine described in said patent and reference may be had thereto for a complete description of the machine, including mechanisms not specifically disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to use in this machine but may be applied to any calculating machine wherein it is desired at certain times t prevent depression or release of any .or all value keys.

In performing a series of machine calculations it often happens that certain digits or constants of a factor set up on the keyboard are later repeatedly used in setting up other factors for succeeding calculations .and the successive clearance and reinstating of such constants in the keyboard obviously entail waste time and effort.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to selectively retain any factor or selected digits of said factor in the value entering mechanism of a calculating machine during an operation which otherwise would clear such factor.

Another object is to selectively prevent depression and release of keys in any key row of a keyboard in which value keys are depressed while permitting the keys in the remaining rows to be depressed and then released at will.

Another object is to permit control of a keyboard by a single manipulable member which is selectively settable to permit depression or release of all value keys ina keyboard, or to prevent such depression or release of all keys, or to prevent depression or release of all keys in the key rows in which value keys are currently depressed while permitting depression and release of all remain: ing keys.

Another object is to selectively set a keyboard control mechanism and to automatically supersede such setting during certain calculations.

Another object is to permit control of a keyboard by a single manipulable member selectively settable to permit depression and release of all value keys in a keyboard or to prevent depr ssion andrelease of all keys in the key rows in which value keys are currently depressed while permitting depression and release of all remaining keys, and to automatically lock all keys against release and depression during an automatic calculation without disturbing the setting of the manipulable member, so as to permit res- A lowing specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view, partly in section, of one bank or row of value selecting keys, illustrating, in part, the selective keyboard locking mechanism embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side view, similar to Figure 1, illustrating the keyboard locking mechanism in an alternative position.

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of one of the key bank and is taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view taken in the region indicated by the arrow 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a side view illustrating the selectively settable control means for the keyboard locking mechanism, and the means for superseding the manual control of the locking mechanism during an automatic division performance.

Figure 6 is a side view of the keyboard clear key mechanism.

The mechanism of the present invention pro- Vides a simple keyboard locking means capable of selectively functioning as a means for looking the entire keyboard or only part of the keyboard against clearance or entry of a value therein, thus making it possible to lock a constant in the keyboard for a succession of machine calculations while allowing other values to be set in the remainder of the keyboard and to be cleared after each problem, or to cause an entire factor to be locked in the keyboard against clearance until such time as it is desired to enter a new factor or to clear the keyboard. The mechanism is also capable of automatically preventing inadvertent clearance of a keyboard set-up during division, whether or, not the manually settable keyboard lock control means is effective. Provision is also made for causing this control means to resume its original control of the keyboard lock mechanism upon termination of the division calculation.

In a machine designed for calculating in accordance with the decimal system, such as the one to which the mechanism of the present invention is applied, the keys are preferably ar-- ranged in a series of identical and juxtaposed banks of at least nine keys each, the number of banks depending upon the magnitude of the 2 f factors with which the machine is designed to deal.

The construction of each of the key banks or sections is substantially the same as disclosed in the Avery Patent Number 2,255,909, issued on September sixteenth, 1941 and comprises the usual number of value keys I00, each of which is slidably mounted in a channel shaped key frame IOI fixed in the frame of the machine.

Each key is normally maintained in a raisecLJO position by a compression spring I02, and the key stem I03 thereof is provided with a shoulder I II (Fig. 3) which is adapted to engage a stop I01 mounted on the respective channel frame IOI to limit upward movement of the key,- while a projection I04 on the key stem is adapted to engage the lower'leg of the frame I I to limit depression of the key.

All of the key stems are of the same length and each has a cam extrusion H6 which, upon depression of the key, pushes to the right, as viewed in Figure 1, a slotted key locking slide I I1 slidably supported on the under side of the frame IN by studs I06 extending through elongated slots I 01 formed on the lower leg of the key frame. Upon full downward depression of any value key, with the exception of the leftmost or zero key I00, the locking slide 1, which is urged leftward by a spring H8 (Figures 1 and 4) extending between retaining fingers I and I2I on the frame and slide, respectively, snaps back into its initial location and by engaging over the upper end of the extrusion IIIi latches the depressed key.

The leftmost key I00 in each section is the zero or clear key and is provided for the sole purpose of releasing any latched down value key in the same section. The stem I03 and extrusion II6 of this key are identical with the other keys of the section, but latching down of the same is prevented by the provision, on looking slide III, of a lip N9, the lower edge of which lies below the lowest position assumed by the top of the extrusion II6. Hence, while the slide II! is moved a to the right upon depression of this key to release any other latched down key, the lip II9 prevents the slide from returning leftward during the depression of the zero key and latching thereof cannot be effected.

Master manual and automatic keyboard clearing means are provided which, under certain circumstances as set forth later, are capable of either simultaneously releasing every depressed key on the entire keyboard or selected ones of said keys.

Describing first the manual keyboard clearing means, a clear key I22 (Figur 6), which is normally maintained in a raised ineffective position by a spring I23, is guided for vertical movement by a link I40, pivoted at one end to the key stem of key I22, and at the other end on a frame pin I4 I, the lower end of the key stem being provided with a slot I42 embracing a econd frame pin I43. A roller I24 is mounted on the key stem and overlies a curved finger I44 forming part of a keyboard clear bail I25, pivoted at its ends on frame pins I26.

Secured as by rivets I45 to the bail I25 is a leafspring I46 (Figures 1, 4. and 6) having upwardly extending flexible fingers I46 formed thereon, and each aligned with a locking slide III. Normally, the spring fingers I46 merely abut the juxtaposed ends of the respective locking slides I I1 without exerting any pressure thereon. However, upon depression of the clear key I22,

the roller I24 rocks the finger I44 and bail I25 clockwise causing the spring fingers I45 to press against the slides I". It should be noted that the fingers I46 are stronger than the springs I I8 and, therefore, except under circumstances noted hereinafter, the spring fingers are capable of pushing the locking slides II! to the right to release all depressed keys in the keyboard.

As described in detail in the above mentioned Avery Patent Number 2,216,659, means are provided for automatically clearing the keyboard during addition or subtraction operations, and it is possible to employ the same means for clearing the present keyboard. To this end a bar I10 (Figure 6), identical with the correspondingly numbered bar of said patent, is provided with a bifurcated end embracing a pin 'I8I on the finger I44. During an addition or subtraction operation, the bar I13 is automatically reciprocated to rock the finger I 44 and thereby rock the key release bail I25 in the same manner as set forth hereinabove.

Disposed under each bank of value keys 1 to 9,

inclusive, is a differentially settable bar I30 which is pivotally suspended from the corresponding key fram IOI by means of two parallel links l3l and I32. This bar I30 has nine identical V notches I33 formed on the upper edge thereof, each of which merges at its bottom into a downwardly extending slot I34 adapted to receive the lower end of a corresponding key stem I03. The vertical center lines of the key stems I03 are spaced an equal distance apart. This distance, however, is slightly greater .than the spacing between the successive equispaced slots I34 so that each succeeding slot I34 will be spaced one increment further away from its cooperating key stem. This spacing is so proportioned that depression of a value key will cam the bar I30 to the right, as viewed in Figure l, a number of increments equal to the value represented by the depressed key,

Movement of each bar I30 is utilized to set up a mechanical representation of the selected value whereby the calculating mechanism may be accordingly controlled. For this purpose a swinging segment member I48 is pivotally mounted on a transversely extending shaft I49 supporting like members associated with other key banks. This member I48 is provided at opposite ends thereof with arcuate racks I50 and I5I which serve to transmit the movement of the diifer- .ential bar I30 to different parts of the calculating mechanism and thus control the same accordingly.

However, when no value key of a key section is depressed, the respective bar I30.is held in its extreme leftward or ineffective position, as illustrated in Figure l, by a tension spring I52 extending between an ear I53 on the segment member I48 and a portion of the machine frame (not shown). When a bar I30 is allowed to remain in this position during a machine, operation no direct entry of a value will be effected in the corresponding order of the accumulator (not shown).

As mentioned hereinbefore, means are provided for locking any or all depressed keys to' prevent their release, or for preventing depression of any or all keys. This locking means offers considerable flexibility in operation, being adapted to be set to look a constant of any' desired number of digits in any part of the keyboard while allowing the remainder of the keyboan to remain free to receive other digits and to be are pivoted on coaxial frame pins I61.

link I6I in each key section is secured to the In wall of the channel frame Ill and' has secured to its outer end the washer I55. A blocking lever I56 is loosely fitted over the stud I54 and is normally pressed against the washer I55 by a compression spring I51 (Figure 3) fitted over the m stud and extending between the lever and a flange I56 formed on the stud. The bearing hole formed in the lever I56 and fitting over the stud I54 has suillcient clearance to allow a slight amount of sidewise rocking movement of the lever against the action of the spring I55, the reason for which will appear hereinafter, while a light tension spring I66 is tensioned between the lever I56 and the lower leg of the key frame I6I. Spring I66 has enough strength to rock the lever I56 downwardly to the lowermost dot and dash line position I56b of Figure 2. against the frictional resistance created by the spring I51, if otherwise-permitted to do so. However, if the lever I56 is of suillcient .weight to rack downwardly of its own accord, the spring I66 may be omitted.

As shown in Figure 4, lie outer depending leg of the lever I56 is formed to extend through an opening I6I in the key locking slide H1 and has as a lobe I62 (Figures 1 and 2) formed thereon which, when the lever 156 is in an intermediate rocked position, as illustrated either by the full lines or the intermediate dot and dash lines I56a in Figure 2, lies directly behind the foremost an slide. It will be noted that when the lever is in this intermediate position, thelobe I62 not only prevents movement of the spring finger I46 sufficient to release any key but also performs the additional function of insuring that all keys in that key section will be locked in their current raised or depressed positions so that they cannot be released by the zero key I66 or any of the keys I66 of the row. If, under these conditions,

, thebail I25 is swung clockwise either manually or automatically in an attempt to move the slide, the respective spring finger I46 will merely yield.

Means operable in conjunction with the differentially settable bars I36 are provided to control the positions of the various blocking levers I56 and thereby to control the different locking functions mentioned hereinbefore. This means comprises a rockable bail I (Figures 1, 2 and 5) adapted to be set in any of three different positions to control the levers I66 accordingly. The bail I65 extends across the entire keyboard and passes through openings Illa in the walls of the various key frames I6I. Ears I56 are formed on the opposite ends of the bail I65 and One of the ears I66 (Figure 5) is suitably secured to an arm I 66 connected by a link I66 to a lever "I which is pivoted at I12 to a settable control lever I16. The lever I16 is pivoted on a frame stud I14 and has a portion thereof extending through a slot in the keyboard cover whereby it 16 may be manipulated by the machine operator into any one of three positions indicated at A, B, and C.

Detent means are provided to hold the settable lever I16 in any of its three positions and comprises a pawl I15 pivoted on a frame pin I16 and I urged counter-clockwise by a spring I11 tensioned between the pawl and a frame stud (not shown). The pawl has three spaced notches formed thereon each of which is adapted to engage a projection I16 formed on the lever I16.

The lever III is provided with a pivot pin I16 intermediate its ends, which pin extends into an opening I66 in a combined camming and pivot lever I 6i which is pivotally supported on a frame pin I62. The lever I6I is connected to a division -initiating key 616 through a train of elements comprising a link I66, arm I64 fastened to a rockable shaft I256 to which is also fastened a lever I626, and a link 665 connecting the lever I626 to a key supporting lever 616 pivoted on a frame pin 614. The lever 616 and a link 612 form a parallel link arrangement for guiding the key 616 in a substantially vertical direction during depression of the key or release thereof from depressed position.

The division key 610 is normally held in its illustrated raised position by spring means (not shown). However, upon depression thereof to a position wherein an ear 686 on the supporting lever 616 is engaged by a latching shoulder 66l of a spring pressed latch 662, a division operation will be initiated as described in detail in said Avery Patent Number 2,216,659. The division operation will automatically continue until it is terminated either automatically or by depression of a special "stop" key, at either of which times the latch 662 wfll be rocked down to allow the key 616 to again be spring raised to its upper position.

Assume for the present that the key 616 is allowed to remain in its illustrated raised position in which case the lever I 6| is so positioned that a narrow upper guide slot I66, forming part of the opening I66 thereof, embraces the pivot pin I16, thereby forming a fulcrum for the lever I1 I With the lever I6I positioned, as illustrated, movement of the lever I16 to its ineilective position A will cause the lever I 1i to rock about the axis of pin I16 and cause the link I69 and arm I66 to move bail I65 to its highest rocked lever, shown in Figures 1 and 5, and the bail will engage and rock each of the blocking-levers I56 to the position shown in Figure 1 wherein its blocking lobe I62 is situated above the level of the associated locking slide H1 and, therefore, cannot prevent release or depression of any of the keys in the keyboard. The keyboard will therefore function in the usual manner.

Movement of the lever I16 to its intermediate 0 or full keyboard lock position B will cause the lever "I to rock on its pin I16 until its pivotal connection I16 assumes a position B whereupon the bail I65 will be positioned at an intermediate height indicated by the dot and dash line I65 5 (Figure 2) and will hold all-of the blocking levers I I66 in the position illustrated by the dot and dash lines I56a. When in this position, the blocking lobes I62 on the levers I56 will be positioned in blocking relation with the forward edges of the openings I6I (Figure 4) of the key locking slides, thus preventing depression of any raised key or release of any depresse key. Therefore, any value set up on the keyboard and locked therein by movement of the lever I16 to its intermdiate position B will be retained therein and cannot be a changed orcleared until the lever I13 is again rocked out ofthis position.

ward to their lowermost possible positions-illustrated by the dot and dash lines I561: in Figure 2, carrying their blocking lobes I62 below the level of the locking slides I I1 wherein they will be inefi'ective toprevent releasing movement of those slides. However, in those orders in which a key has already been depressed and latched in depressed position, before movement of lever I13 to position C, the key stem I03 thereof will have cammed the diflerentially settable bar I30 to the right, as viewed in Figures 1 and 2, an amount proportional to thetvalue of the depressed key. Thus, an ear I90 formed on the bar I30 will be moved into blocking relation with the lowermost offset end I 9i of the blocking lever I56 and will prevent movement thereof below its intermediate blocking position shown in full lines in Figure 2.

It should be noted that the ear I90 is so arranged on the bar I30 that when the bar is held in its zero" position, illustrated in Figure 1, by the spring I52, the ear I90 will not interfere with movement 01. the blocking lever I56, and it is only when the number "1 or higher value key is depressed that the ear I90 is moved into blockin relation with the corresponding blocking lever- I56, such a situation being illustrated in Figure 2 wherein the number 2 value key is depicted as latched in depressed position.

It will be seen from the above that a value or constant may be locked indefinitely in the keyboard while permitting other values to be set in the keyboard and then cleared in the usual manner. This may be accomplished by first setting the lever I13 in its ineffective position A, if it is not already there, and then setting up the value or constant which it is desired to retain indefinitely. Thereafter, the lever I13 is moved to its "keyboard-constant lock position and, consequently, the blocking levers I56 in those orders in which no value key has been depressed will drop to their lowermost ineffective positions wherein the ofisets I9I will be located below the ears I90 asillustrated in dotted lines in Figure 3, thereby permitting free movement of the respective differential bars I30, while the blocking levers in those orders in which a key is depressed and latched will be blocked by theears I90 of the respective differential bars I30, thereby holding such levers in blocking relation with the corresponding key locking slides III. However, in the event that all of the keys are in raised position prior to such setting and locking of a value in the keyboard or in the event that it is desired to set and lock 2. value in the keyboard in addition to a constant already locked'in the keyboard, the lever I13 may be left in position C during the depositions. sponding differential bars I will, therefore, be situated over the offset ends I9I of the blocking levers I56, and as the control lever I13 is rocked to position A, the inclined left surface (Figure 3) of the oifsets I9I on the levers I56 will merely cam the levers sideways as they pass upward past the ears I90. At this time, the springs I51 on the pivot studs I50 will merely yield until the oflsets I9I pass above the ears I90 at which time the springs I51 will snap the levers I56 into their original illustrated vertical planes, again positioning the offsets I9I directly over the paths of movement of the ears I90. When it becomes desirable to release any key or keys locked in depressed position, the lever I13 is merely moved pression ofthe keys to belocked. The lever -I'I3 would then be moved to its position A and thence back to position C, resulting in all of the depressed keys being locked in depressed position.

During such movement of the lever I13, value keys will be standing in a depressed position in key sections wherein the blocking back to its ineffective position A and any of the several clearing means operated to release the keys.

Depression of the division key 910 to initiate a division operation will cause the bail I65 to assume its intermediate full keyboard lock position I65 (Figure 2) regardless of the setting of the lever I13 and without changing such setting,

and will therefore lock the entire keyboard. When the division key is allowed to rise at the completion of the division operation, the keyboard will again be restored to the particular locked or unlocked condition previously determined by the setting of the lever I13. To this end, the opposite edges of the opening I8iI-in the lever.I6I converge into a narrow slot I94 capable of embracing the pivot pin I10 extending from the lower end of the lever I1I. The opening I60 in lever I8I is so formed that, upon depression of the division key 910 to its lowermost latched position and consequent upward rocking movement of the lever 'IBI to the position illustrated in part by dot and dash lines I8I' (Figure 5), the upper converging sides of the opening I60 will free the pivot pin I16 on lever I1I, while the lower converging sides of the opening will cam the lower pivot pin I10 into the narrow guide slot I 94. This slot is arranged so as to locate the pin I10 substantially in the position B' regardless of the seting of the lever I13, and therefore the bail I65 will be moved to its-intermediate position I65 (Figure 2) to hold all of the blocking levers I65, with the exception of. any such levers which have been blocked in the full line position indi cated in Figure 2 in the manner described hereinbefore, in their blocking positions I56a. It should be noted that this latter position I560. is below the full line position illustrated in Figure 2 and, therefore, the bottom offset edge I9I of such levers will be located at I9 Ia which is below the upper edge of the blocking ears I90 of the differentially settable bars I30.

Upon termination of the division operation, the division key will be spring pressed upwardly to its original position and the lever I8I will reassume the lower position in which it is shown in full lines, during which time the lower converging edges of the opening I will free the pin I10 while the upper converging edges of the opening will cam the pin I'I8 intothe slot I66, causing the lever Ill and bail I65 to assume their originally set positions in accordance with the setting of the lever I13. Of course, if the lever I13 was originally set at 3" before depression levers I56 were 1 not cause movement of the lever I'II'or the eleoriginally allowed to drop to their lowermost The blocking ears I of the corre-.

ments (including bail iii) connected thereto. If, however, the lever I" was originally set at ,C," automatic release of the division key an to its raised position at the end of division with consequent rocking of the bail I65 from the dot and dash line position, indicated at I65 of Figure 2 to its full line position therein, will allow those blocking levers I56 which are not blocked by the corresponding ears I90 to resume their lowermost unblocking positions l56b (Figure 2) which they occupied before the depression of the division key 910. Therefore, movement of the key 9" to its raised position will effect restoration of the keyboard to the same locked or unlocked condition that it occupied prior to the division operation.

Examples ofoperations capable of being eilected by the .keyboard locking mechanism will clear- 1y illustrate the advantages-of the present invention. I

In a series of calculations, successively entered factors contain a constant value in conjunction with a variable value, the operator, instead of clearing the keyboard and then entering the constant and the variable value prior to each calculation, may first lock the constant in the keyboard as described hereinbefore, preferably by first setting the lever I13 to position A, then setting up the constant on the various value keys, and thereafter setting the lever "3 to position C. Now the variable value may be set up on the value keys and aiterthe first calculation the master clearance bail, I is operated either manually by depression of the clearance key I22 or automatically, resulting in the variable value being cleared while the constant remains locked in the keyboard. Obviously, only the variable value of the next factor need be set up in the keyboard preparatory to the next calculation, thereby saving the amount of time and effort otherwise expended in recurrently setting up the constant value.

Problems in proration maybe conveniently performed with the aid of the mechanism of the present invention. For example, in percentage proration, that is determining the percentage example, in figuring interest on savings bank accounts assuming that interest for each month is payable on the lowest balance in the account during the month, the interest factor, 1. e., the interest per dollar per month at the specflied rate, is set up and locked in one portion of the keyboard by the proper manipulation of the lever ill to position C. The lowest balance of a particular account for the first month from which interest accrues is then set up in another portion of the keyboard and the machine is operated in addition, adding both the balance and the interest factor into the accumulator. The bail I25 isoperated at this time to clear the balance from the keyboard while the interest factor remains set in the keyboard. The lowest balance in the account during the next following month is then set in the keyboard and such balance and the interest factor are again added into the accumulator, and so on for the remaining months of the period. When the balance for the last month for which interest is being computed has been added into the accumulator the sum of such balances, as found in the accumulator is noted, the accumulator cleared, following which the sum is set up on the multiplier keys (not shown) so as to multiply the interest factor setup in the keyboard by this sum of the balances entered in the machine. The product thus found represents the total interest. Upon completion of the calculations relevant to one account, the accumulator is cleared and the balances of the next account are entered into the machine as before, while, if the interest f ctor remains the that each of a series of values bears to the sum of the values being prorated, the sum may be set up in the right hand portion of the keyboard and should be locked therein by the prescribedmanipulation of the settable lever I13 to position C.

One of the values to be prorated is then set up the keyboard while the sum of the values remains locked in the keyboard. Such sum, as now entered in the accumulator, is cleared therefrom by operating the machine in subtraction leaving only the value to be prorated remaining in the accumulator and the sum of the values being prorated in the keyboard. The machine is thereupon operated in division in the usual manner dividing the value in the accumulator by the sum set up in the keyboard to obtain the-percentage rating. In determining the percentage rating of the remaining values in the series the setting of the sum inthe right hand portion of the keyboard need not'be disturbed and only the particular value for which the rating is being determined need be set in the keyboard.

- Interest calculation may also be expedited by the employment of the present'invention. For

plurality of said keys upon depression thereof for maintaining said blocking device in blocking position, and manipulable means selectively settable to maintain said blocking device out of blocking position or to cause said device to move to the blocking position in which it may be maintained by said key set means.

' 2. In a calculating machine, the combination with a keyboard having a row of depressible keys, means for holding a depressed one of said keys in depressed position, and releasing means for moving said holding means to release said depressed key; of a device movable from a first tion, to a third position, said device, when in said intermediate second position, rendering said releasing means ineifective to move said holding means, means comprising a manipulable member selectively adjustable to maintain said device in said first pofltion or to move said device to said second and third positions, and means controlled by a depressed key for preventing movement of said devicebeyond said intermediate second position by said last named means.

3. In a calculating machine. the combination with a keyboard having a row of depressible keys, means for holding a depressed one of said keys in depressed position, and releasing means for movin: said holding means to release said depressed 4. In a calculating machine, the combination 'with a keyboard having a row of depressible keys,

means for holding a depressed one of said keys in depressed position, and releasing means for moving said holding means to release said depressed key; of a device movable froma first position, through an intermediate second position, to a third position, said device, when in said intermediate second position, rendering said releasing means inefiective to move said holding means, means comprising a manipulable member for selectively moving said device to and maintaining said device in said first position or for iective position to aheflective position by any of saidrkeys, and means for holding said member in said effective position; of releasing means for causing said last mentioned means 170 release said member from said holding means, a blocking devicemovable from a first position, through an intermediatesecond positiomtoja third position, said." device' being "efiective I when in said intermediate position to block movement of said holding-meansby said releasing means, means comprising a manipulable member selectively ad- .justable to maintain said blocking device in said first position or to move the same toward said third position, and means'comprising said control member for preventing movement of said blocking device beyond said intermediate position when said'control member is'in said efl'ective causing movement thereof toward said third position,. means controlled by said keys for preventing movement of said device in one direction past said intermediate position; said preventing means being inefiective to prevent movement of said device'from said third to said first position.

5. In a calculating machine, the combination with a keyboard having a row of depressible keys, means for holding a depressed one of said keys in depressed position, and releasing means for moving said holding means to. release said depressed key; of a blocking device movable from a first position, through an intermediate second position, to a third position, said device being effective, when in said intermediate second position, to block movement of said holding means by said releasing means, means comprising a manipulable member for selectively moving said blocking device to and maintaining said blocking device in said'first position or for causing movement thereof toward said third position, means controlled by said keys for preventing movement of said blocking device in one direction past said intermediate position; said preventing means being ineffective to prevent movement of said device from said third to said first position. 6. In a calculating machine, the combination with a keyboard comprising a row of depressible keys; 9. control member movable from an inef-' said member from said holding means, a device movable from a first position, through an intermediate second position, to a third position,- said device, when in said intermediate position rendering said releasing means ineffective to move said holding means, means comprising a manipulable member selectively adjustable to. maintain said device in said first position or to move the same toward said third position, and means comprising said control member for preventing movement of said device beyond said intermediate position when said control memher is in said eflective position.

7. In a calculating machine, the combination with a keyboard comprising a row of depressible keys; a control member movable from an inefposit'ion.

8. In a calculating machine, the combination with a keyboard comprising a row of depressible keys; a control member differentially movable from an ineffective position to an effective position by any of said keys, and means for holding said member in said effective position; of releas ing means for causing said last mentioned means to release said member from said efiective posi-' tion, a blocking device movable from a first-position, through an intermediate second position,

- to a third position, said device being efiective when in said intermediate position to block movement of said holding meansby said releasing means, means comprising a manipulabie member for maintaining said blocking device in said first position or to move the same toward said third position, means comprising said control member for preventing movement of said blocking device in one .direction beyond said intermediate position when said control member is in said effective position; said means being metfective to prevent movement of said blocking device from said third position to said first position.

9. In a calculating machine, the combination with a keyboard having a row of depressible keys, means .for holding a depressed one of said keys in depressed position, and releasing means for moving said holding means to release said depressed keys; of a blocking device movable from a first position, through an intermediate second position, to a third position, said device being effective when in said intermediate. position to block movement of said holding means by said releasing means, meanscomprising' a-selectively settable member for maintaining said blocking device in'said first position or said intermediate position or permitting movement of said blocking device toward said third position,

and means controlled by said keys for prevent ing movementof said blocking device beyond said intermediate second position;

10. In a calculating machine, the combination with a keyboard having a row of depressible keys, means for holding a depressed one of said keys in depressed position, and releasing means formoving said holding means to release said depressed key; of a blocking device movable from a first position, through an intermediate second position, to a third position,said device being effective when in said intermediate second posithin to block movement of said holding means by said releasing means, spring means for moving said blocking device toward said third position, selectively settable means for holding said blocking device in said'first position or said intermediate second position, or for releasing said means capable of moving all of said holding means to release the depressed keys therefrom, selectively settable means, and means comprising members individual to said rows or keys and jointly controlled collectively by said settablemeans and individually by the corresponding rows of keys, upon setting of said settable means after depression of said keys, for restraining movement of the holding means by said releasing means in those rows in which said depressed keys are situated, said jointl controlled means being ineffective, upon setting of said settable means after depression of said keys, to restrain movement of the holding means by said releasing means in the remaining rows.

12. In a calculating machine, the combination witha keyboard having a plurality of rows of depressible' keys and means individual to each of said rows for holding depressed keys thereof in depressed position; of releasing means for moving said holding means to release the depressed keys, a control device selectively settable to either of two different positions, means controlled by said device when moved to one position for .rendering said holding means irresponsive to movement of said releasing means, and means controlled by depressed keys, when said device is moved to a second position after depression of said depressed keys, for causing certain of said device-controlled means to render said holding means in those rows in which said depressed keys are situated irresponsive to movement of said releasing means.

13.In a calculating machine, the combination with a keyboard having a plurality of rows of depressible keys and means individual to each of said rows for holding depressed keys thereof in depressed position; of releasing means for mov-', ing said holding means to release the depressed keys, a control device selectively-settable to any of three different positions, means controlle'd by said device when moved to one position for rendering said holding means irresponsive to movement of said releasing means, and when moved to a second position for rendering said holding means responsive to movement of said releasing means; and means controlled by depressed keys, when said device is moved to a third position after depression of said keys, for causing certain of said device controlled means to render the f holding means, in those rows in which said depressed keys are situated, irresponsive to movement of said releasing means and to render the holding means in the remaining rows responsive to movement of said releasing means.

14. In a calculating machine, the combination with an automatic calculation controlling mechanism including a settable operation initiating device therefor, and a keyboard comprising a row of depressible keys, and means for holding a depressed one of said keys in depressed position; of releasing means for moving said holding means to release said depressed keys, a blocking device movable from a first pomtion to another responsive to movement by said releasing means trol means irresponsive to operation by said selectively ,settable device and for operating said control means to maintain said blocking means in said other position.

15. In a calculating machine, the combination with an automatic calculation controlling mechanism including a settable operation initiating device therefor, and a keyboard comprising a row oi depressible keys and means for holding a. depressed one of said keys in depressed position; of releasing means for moving said'holding means to release said depressed keys, a blocking device movable from a first position, through an intermediate second position, to a third position, said device being effective, when in said intermediate position, to render said holding means irresponsive to movement of said releasing means, means comprising a selectively settable device and control means actuated thereby for selectively causing movement of said blocking device toward any of said positions; and means controlled by said initiating device'for rendering said control means irresponsive to operation by said selectively settable device and for operating said control means to maintain said blocking device in said intermediate position.

16. In a calculating machine, the combination with an automatic calculation controlling mechanism including a settable operation initiating device therefor, and a keyboard having a plurality of rows of depressible keys and means individual to each of said rows for holding depressed keys thereof in depressed position; of releasing means for moving said holding means to release said depressed keys, means comprising a selectively settable member and a control device movable thereby into any of three different positions; means controlled by said device when moved into one of said positions for rendering said holding means irresponsive to movement of said releasing means and when moved into a second one of said position, said device being eil'ective when in said" positions for rendering said holding means responsive to movement of said releasing means, means controlled by depressed keys, when said device is moved to the third one of said positions after depression of said depressed keys for causing certain of said device-controlled means to render said holding means irresponsive to movement by said releasing means'in those rows in which said depressed keys are situated, and means controlled by said initiating device upon setting thereof for rendering said control device irresponsive to operation by said settable member and for moving said control device into said first mentioned position.

17. In a calculating machine, the combination with an automatic calculation controlling mechanism including a settable operation initiating device therefor, and a keyboard having a plurality of rows of depressible keys and means individual to each of said rows for holding depressed keys thereof in depressed position; of releasing means means irrespcnsive to movement by said releasing means, means controlled by depressed keys, when said device is moved to the other of said positions,

after depression of saiddepressed keys, 'forcauslng certain of said device controlled means torender said holding means irresponsive to movement by s'aldreleasing means in those rows in with a keyboard comprising a plurality of rows of which said depressed keys are situated, and means controlledby said initiating device upon setting thereof for rendering said control device irresponsive .to operation by said settable member and for moving said control device into said flrst" mentioned position.

18. In a calculating machine having a keyboard comprising a row of depressible keys, means for holding a depressed one of said'keys in depressed depressible keys, and restraining means individual to each of said rows for holding depressed keys thereof in depressed position; of common releasing'means capable of moving all of said restraining means to release the depressed keys,

selectively settable means, and means comprising members individual to said rows of keys and jointly controlled collectively by said settable means upon setting thereof and individually by "the corresponding row of keys for rendering the' releasing means'ineflective to move said restrainin'gmeans in those rows in which said depressed keys are situated.

position, and releasing means for moving said holding means to release saiddepressed key; control means selectively settable to a plurality of positions, and means placed under controlof said depressed key by said control means, upon setting of said control means to one of said positions after depression of said keys, for rendering said releasing means ineffective to move said holding means.

19.'In a calculating machine having a keyboard comprising a row of depressible keys, means 20. In a calculating machine, the combination '21. In a calculating machine, the combination with akeyboard comprising a plurality of rows of depressible keys, key restraining means individual toeach of said rows and efiective in one position thereof to hold a depressed one of said keys in depressed position, and effective in a secondkey releasing position thereof to release said depressed key; of key releasing means including a member common to allof said rows of keys and means for moving said member. from a normal to an active position, said restraining means being normally responsive to movement of said member to active position so as to be moved thereby to said key releasing position, selectively settable means, and means controlled jointly by the settable means upon setting thereof and by a depressed one of said keys for rendering the restraining means in that row in which said depressed key is situated irresponsive to movement of said member to said active position.

HAROLD T. AVERY. DE WI'I'I M. GRIMIW. FREDERICK N. SCHWEND. 

